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FINAL: MSU basketball defeats MVSU, 100-53 for first win

November 18, 2016
Head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a call during the game against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 18, 2016 at Breslin Center.
Head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a call during the game against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 18, 2016 at Breslin Center. —
Photo by Nic Antaya | and Nic Antaya The State News

MSU basketball (1-2) earned its first victory of the season Friday night defeating Mississippi Valley State (0-4), 100-53. 

Forward Miles Bridges dazzled in his home opener as a Spartan. His 21 points in the first half tied his collegiate high. Bridges received his first double-double of the season, adding 11 rebounds finishing with 24 points and shooting 11-of-14 from the field. 

Ending the first half on a 12-0 run, the Spartans took a 48-23 lead into the locker room. 

Head Coach Tom Izzo alluded to the team's ability to run the floor in his weekly press conference and MSU was able to control the rebounding margin, 46-22, allowing them to push the floor, resulting in 30 fast break points. 

Guard Eron Harris was able to shake off the rust from MSU's prior two games adding nine points, including five 3-point field goals. Other 3-point marksman, guard Matt McQuaid finished with five 3-point field goals, three of which came in three straight possessions. The Spartans as a team expressed accuracy from behind the arc, ending with 57.1 percent from downtown.  

In the second half, forward Nick Ward went to work. With quick drop-steps on the baseline, Ward finished three straight baskets, scoring 18 points for the game on 8-for-8 shooting. 

From there, MSU was able to put the game into cruise control. 

MSU finished with four players in double-figure scoring and 11 Spartans were able to get on the score sheet. Their previous game against No. 2 Kentucky, forward Kenny Goins led the Spartans with nine points. 

The first two Spartan losses saw sloppy passes, amounting 18 turnovers against Arizona and 20 against Kentucky. Against MVSU, the Spartans committed 14 turnovers, while amassing 33 assists on 39 baskets. Guard Cassius Winston led the game, distributing 11 assists. 

The visitors struggled to snap nylon. As a team, MVSU shot 32.8 percent from the field, guard Ronald Strother was the Delta Devils leading scorer with 12 points. 

MSU earns their 100th win in home openers and giving Izzo a 22-0 record in Breslin Center openers. 

MSU will be in action at home on Sunday against Florida Gulf Coast. 

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